Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.
~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, 1860

Saturday, September 25, 2010

National language - I am confused

Discussions are already underway in the I-taukei affairs ministry on what we will use as a national language.

WE ALREADY HAVE A NATIONAL LANGUAGE, WHICH IS FIJIAN. THE OTHER RECOGNISED LANGUAGES, HINDI AND ENGLISH ARE JUST THAT RECOGNISED. BUT IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF THE WORLD - ENGLISH IS ALSO THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION IN OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE THE WIDER WORLD WILL ACCEPT GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKERS/WRITERS IN THEIR WORK PLACE RATHER THAN SOMEONE WHO ONLY SPEAKS FIJIAN.

The revelation was made by the Minister of Education, Filipe Bole this morning when launching the first I taukei school books to be used by secondary school student from forms 5 to 7.

Bole said that talks have started within the I taukei affairs on what will be used as the national language.Please, explain what this means? Each nation has its own national language. Which planet are you guys on? Obviously there isn't much thinking or vision on the plate at the moment that the discussion of a national language is paramount at the moment as opposed to the real need of providing funds to enhance the education system in Fiji.

He added that the 1997 constitution which was abrogated by the President in April last year have three recongnised language fijian [SIC], hindi [SIC] and english [SIC] but the plan now is to have a national language.

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Bole added that if the national language is adopted it will not be compulsory to teach in schools.

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Bole was the chief guest in launching the I taukei secondary school books called the Moli Koula with former teacher Etonia Lote as the author to be ude for form 5 to 7.